BRIGHT AND SHINING LIGHT

This scripture reminds me of one of my infamous tree-planting stories from Bible School days. For those they may not know; Parris, our infant son Jeremy, and I lived in the coastal mountains of Oregon and Washington for seven months planting trees. For several days it was too warm to plant during the day so we planted at night. How do you plant trees in the mountains in the dead of night? Weyerhaeuser put up big lights on the slopes and we had helmets with lights, kind of like you would see in a coal mine. Of course without the lights you would be helpless. Once you got the hang of pointing your head in the right direction it wasn't that bad. As we worked, the big light reminded me of the light of the glory of The Lord shining down upon us. The lights on our heads reminded us that we too are the light of the world. Not only do we see by that light but others also are attracted from their dark world into the light shining out from us. Here is how A. B. Simpson explains this powerful truth.

"We are called the lights of the world; light bearers, reflectors, candlesticks, lamps. We are to be kindled ourselves, and then we will burn and give light to others.

We are the only light the world has. The Lord could come down Himself and give light to the world, but He has chosen differently. He wants to send it through us, and if we do not give it the world will not have it. God does not put a meteor in the sky to tell us when to shine. We are to be giving light continually wherever we are-at home, among friends or in church. We should have the attitude that we may never have another opportunity, and so we should always be shining for Him. Let our lamps be trimmed and full of the oil of the Spirit. Above all, let us be a steady light to those without Christ."

We live in a dark world that appears yo be getting darker all of the time. The only light people can see who are living in darkness is the light that shines out from God's people. We really are the light of the world. This dark age will be over soon and the whole earth will be filled with the glory of The Lord. In the meantime, put on your helmet of light and shine, shine as we labor through this season of darkness.